Customer Reviews

Vulgar

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Vulgar was my first Dir En Grey CD. I popped it in my CD player, (having not ripped it to my PC yet) and was overwhelmed by the brilliant minimalism of the song Audience Killer Loop. Toshiya's thunderous bass, plodding sitar, and Kyo's haunting vocal melodies; Somehow it just worked, and created a mesmerizing aural soundscape. It was a captivating listen for all 14 tracks, alot more than I can say about most bands. It's hard to pinpoint Diru's appeal. They're nothing more than four musicians with a flamboyant image playing vivid and eclectic rock, and they don't pretend to be anything else. I, for one, am most impressed with the stout Kyo's singing voice. From his deranged mutters, fragile whispers to hysterical screams, he can go all out while remaining coherent, delivering inhuman vocal hooks.

Since there are 14 tracks, the album is very hit-or-miss. But similarly, since it explores a broad variety of musical styles and sweeps though spectrums of emotion, there's probably an album's worth of good stuff, regardless of your tastes- Despite being a rather bloated album. My person favorites? The already mentioned Audience Killer Loop is genius. Syokubeni is a metallic, bass-driven track that's beyond incredible live. (Look for it on Youtube.) The creepy cello/organ interlude at the end builds tension appropriately and propels the climax to visceral and memorable heights. Sajou No Uta's jangly guitar tone and piano bring to mind Diru's older visual kei stuff. Red [em] has a strong emphasis in instrumental subtlety, further pronouncing the powerful riffs and jazzy bass lines slithering in and out of the song. Kyo's vocals reach an incredible falsetto at the end. Obscure is a deeply disturbing and poignant tidal wave of surging emotions that seems to envelop the listener's mind in black flames. The album's highlight, for sure.

Some purists feel this album (and beyond) is weak, because it draws heavy influence from Western music, mainly metal. Oh well. If you're one of those people, you're not gonna find distinctly Japanese rock music when their industry is so inherently derivative, get over it. It's a shame this band's American fanbase will be composed of weird otakus and Hot Topic scenesters soon. That doesn't make the music any worse though, so listen to it.
- Thus says the Pellington

I've been an avid listener, and huge fan of Dir en grey for about five years (don't worry though, I'm not a rabid fangirl). I've stuck by them ever since I heard them, so you can tell how much I love this band. I'll be blunt about this- their newest album Vulgar, while it is a solid album, is far from their best.

With their increasing popularity with western countries, Dir en grey has opted to take a more westernized style with their music; hence we have Vulgar and its nu-metal type of jrock. Dir en grey is a band that is loved because of its diversity, but unfortunately Vulgar is not [diverse]. Most of the songs sound alike.

Dir en grey was a band that could actually make me cry with the sheer emotion held within Kyo's powerful voice as he sings his heartfelt and controversial lyrics, be it while he's crooning softly, wailing, screaming and even puking. Vulgar's songs are devoid from the emotional outbursts that made (for me) Dir en grey's so powerful. Yes, Kyo still screams in the songs contained within Vulgar, but something precious that made the songs in Macabre, Kisou and Gauze shine is missing, and this really detracts from the album.

You might be wondering at this point why I gave this album five stars despite having all these complaints. I'll state it again, this album is solid; Kyo's singing has never been better, the rest of the band plays their respective instruments powerfully, and the sound of the songs is polished and crisp. This album is certainly not weak- most first-time or recent lovers of Dir en grey will probably like this album, with its melodic sound and catchy riffs. My friend, who just recently started liking Dir en grey, loved Vulgar actually. My favorite songs on the album are the following: Audience KILLER LOOP, Red...[em], Amber and Kasumi. I must add that Obscure is one of my favorite Dir en grey PVs, though the song is not really to my liking. If you can get your hands on it (I saw both the regular and the uncensored version, and both were equally powerful) be sure to watch because it's very interesting and creepy. I wish I could give 4 1/2 stars to this album, since its missing the flair that Dir en grey's other albums have, but I'll give it five stars just because it's Dir en grey.

All in all, this is an enjoyable album that has a few very nice songs. If you are a first timer to Dir en grey, I'd highly recommend Macabre, which in my opinion is their best, over this album. I pray that with their next release, Dir en grey returns to their unique style and thought-provoking lyrics.

I'm a loyal Dir en grey fan, so I'm going to tell you this album isn't for everyone. In fact, it made a number of Deg's fans angry because it was so different from their other albums. Despite this the fact of the matter is this is an excellent album.

While I like almost every song on this album my song picks:

3- INCREASE BLUE - This song is more fun then I could ever explain. You can't listen to it and not get drawn into the great beat and weird vocals. Hearing Kyo scream "Ladies and Gentlemen... it's Showtime!" alone makes this song extremely fun. A great song. Listen to it live if you get the chance, it is even better. ^^

9 - Kasumi - Easily one of Diru's best slow songs. Dark and painfully powerful, you don't even need to know what it's about to feel the anguish in this song. I can't even explain the beauty of this song, just listen to it! Again, it's also great live.

10 - R to the Core - Another fun song. Short and surprisingly upbeat (sounding, the lyrics aren't. *laughs*) it is just a nice song to listen to.

13 - Obscure - There is no describing this song... its name suits it remarkably well. I can almost assure you that the first time you here this song you will hate it. ^^ Listen to it again, it really is a very interesting song.

14 - Child Prey - This song is different, bizarre and way too much fun not to listen to over and over again. Definitely sing along with it too if not just for fun then because, though it doesn't sound like it, the song is almost entirely in English.

All in all I highly recommend this CD. The only reason I gave it a 4/5 star is to encourage you all to look at other Diru CDs too. This one is good, but there are others to be had too!

The opening track, Audience Killer Loop is thrashy, yet haunting at the same time, Kyo's voice is like a ghost in pain,whispering and beckoning from the grave. The IIID Empire makes me want to headbang, the riffs are great, and it mixes some electronica in there. Increase Blue stands out becuase its like an 80's glam metal song, but a bit harder, Sykoubeni is another trashy song, but then mellows out, but has a lot of yelling in it. A great track. Sajou no Uta has a bit of a poppy feel to it, but its a good song. Did someone call Nirvana back from the dead? Red... uses the same riff as Smells like Teen Spirit, and its really good at it becuase the moaning combined with the riff is awesome.Asunaki Koufuku, Koenaki Asu makes me want to have a headache, its really catchy, but its pounding bass is hard to deal with. Marmalade Chainsaw reminds me of oldschool 80's thrash mixed with death metal. Awesome stuff there. Kasumi reminds me of a Tool song, its more mellow, and its nice. R to the Core shows Dir en grey's punk roots, and mixes it with a bit of thrash. Good skatepunk, it could fit on any of the Tony Hawk games perfectly. Drain Away is different, its poppy yet dark at the same time. Good vocals on this one. New Age Culture is really fast, and anthemic, makes you want to be in a mosh pit. Obscure, the haunting track with the inamous video. A dark, pounding beat combined with wailing vocals. Defontly stands out on here. Child prey is another punk-like song, fast, and mostly in English. Amber has a really good solo, and combines some good foot pedal stuff.

This is one of Dir en grey's best albums, this and Withering to Death are 2 of their best albums to date. I give Vulgar a 9/10. Get it if you like metal, and a mixture of melodies and genres.

Dir en Grey keeps getting better and better with each album, and Vulgar is no exception. The songs range from hard and driving to soft and melodious, and the range of songs that Dir en Grey performs are amazing.

Dir en Grey is definitely maturing with age.

Now, I know that most people say that VULGAR sucks because it was too heavy and western-like. I really don't care about those comments. This album is good, I love it...ALOT! Now, I do agree that if you are new to Diru, you should buy an older album first, but this one really gets you into their newer stuff, like Withering to Death. As far as the whole album goes, the music sounds great; Kyo's vocals always sound better on the next track and they leave you repeating some of it, not knowing a thing you're saying..., the guitars sound beautiful on this album, starting with audience KILLER LOOP and ending with Amber, and everything else, including Shinya's drumming, makes it sound even better. 5 STARS!

I am a very new listener of Dir en, and I must admit that this CD rocks in ways that I can hardly discribe! Every track is absolutely killer, but my favorites that I can't seem to stop listening to are "Child Prey" and "New Age Culture" which I find to be a very addictive head-banger (especially for an old head-banger like myself). Any fan of hard edged rock, be it JRock or not, should give Vulgar a listen, it's now my number one CD.

I first got into Dir en Grey when my anime-obsessed friend showed me their picture. they are very much a visual band with Kyo looking like a cross between a human, lizard, and blood-sucking fiend in full makeup and Shinya prancing about it furry dresses. But seriously, their music ROCKS.

The guitars are heavy and loud and Shinya's drumming is totally off the scale. Toshiya is an amazing bass player (i am struggling frantically to learn the bass lines).However, i must say that the most powerful weapon Dir en Grey has is Kyo's amazing voice.

Usually he sings in a deep, throaty voice that sounds much too manly for his little more than 5ft of height. But he has an amazing range and his voice has an extreme phsycological effect on the music; he can scream like he's being tortured, laugh like a phsychotic hyeena, whisper like a voice inside your head, and scare the bloody ... out of you.

I seriously reccommend this, even to non-japanese speakers (me being one of those). My fav songs are probably Child Prey, Red, Marmalade Chainsaw, and R to the Core. It definitely worth the money that it takes to import it.

and a note of advice: do not watch the video for Obscure at midnite on halloween. the puking, blood, and dead bodies hanging from the ceiling can really mess with your head.

This (is kinda biased, it IS an opinion) my personal favorite album from
dir en grey. Those who just started listening to them, or are considering listening to them, i encourage you to first check out there other albums, then rush like a mad yack to buy this one and anything else the has the name of dir en grey. This album is the start of their heavy metal trend. (i hate saying that cause "heavy metal" is sterotyped with sooooo many dumb bands, but don't worry! this is a bright light at the end of a tunnel!) Not to say they suddenly were one day all bright and happy and then POW! HEAVY METAL!
no no no no no nooooo! they've always been a great rock band that continues to show that rock can incorporate melody, harmony, along with the screaming in a very attractive way! yes! mmhmm. This band is a standard set up 2 guitarist (both generally switching between the two for rhythm and lead, often in the same song) drummer (a very small and fragile looking fellow, though he can sure play the drums) a bassist (who seems to have changed his style in this album) and the singer. so, yes, buy this knowing that you will never be the same again (for the better).
so stop reading! quick, like a rabbit! buy it now!!

the latest release from Dir en grey, one of the best i've heard yet. the album kicks off with a great song "audience KILLER LOOP" which is such a great start to the album. starts out slow then your ears are blowen away by Kyo's deep screaming and kicks into heavey guitars in the Dir en grey fashion. A very nice way to start an album off. The next song flows right in "The III D Empire" just as heavey as the first track, screaming guitars and semi-rap verses from Kyo. It really sets up the over all feel to the album. Dark, heavey, and just down right good. Although i think track 5 "Sajou No Uta" and Track 9 "Kasumi" deserve more credit. A little lighter to the ears, but still very good songs. They have that bebop "i wanna go crusing with the windows down" feel to them. They kinda go back to their Indies roots with those songs. One of my favorites off the album is "Shokubeni" The drum beat to it is very invectious. Your on a roller coster with this song, slow at points then your are thrown into a double heelex with the chorus and easing to the finish. another song off this album which fun to scream along with, was the first song that i ever heard from Dir en grey. "Child Prey" the heavest, fastest, loudest song off Vulgar. This song makes you want to jump, thrash and scream along with. You cant sit still when you listen to this song. Its like the A.D.D song of the album. Fast and heavey in true Dir en grey nature. The version off the album is different then the single version. And its better then single version. THe drumming sounds better and Kyo screams the line "the reasons why no one can laugh from the heart, its a simple reason, thats life"
So over all the whole album is just great. Most deff a breath of fresh air in all this stagnate "punk" music. And what of "The Final?" holds some answers to some questions, or will it just create more? You can never tell with a band like Dir en grey.